Director, Pride English Program

Rare is a fast-growing, international conservation organization that runs state-of-the art communication and outreach projects that empower local communities with the tools to solve their own conservation challenges. Rare's innovative conservation programs fuel projects located in more than 40 countries around the world.  Named to Fast Company magazine's list of "Top Social Capitalists" for the last four years in a row, Rare is committed to bringing a spirit of entrepreneurship and creativity to solving one of this century's great challenges - changing human behavior to make conservation possible.

All Rare projects are managed by local partners; our focus is on building community support for conservation and developing local communications capacity among the world's leading local environmental organizations. Rare has trained 150 local conservation leaders implementing dynamic change processes in 40 countries. These "campaign managers" work for the largest and the smallest conservation organizations globally, including The Nature Conservancy, WWF, and Conservation International. 

Position Overview:

The Rare Board adopted a 5 year strategic plan that entails tripling in size and impact by 2011.  Rare is seeking a results oriented, entrepreneurial leader with proven experience in project management to play a key role in helping the organization achieve these ambitious objectives for growth. Based in Arlington Virginia, the Director of Pride English Programs will be responsible for Rare's programmatic, operational, and financial outputs in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and the Pacific.

In line with Rare's 2007-2011 business plan, this position will expand Rare's conservation impact in the aforementioned regions; enhance and continuously improve Rare's strategies and tools; unlock burgeoning potential of an alumni network; and use Rare's track record and a challenge grant facility to leverage new sources of funding   

The ideal candidate will have experience within both the conservation arena and a high productivity environment. He/she will have had proven success managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, partnerships and contracts. Proactive, consultative and results oriented he/she will have strategically driven their organization's mission forward while simultaneously striving to improve that organization's business model.  Proven success of having moved from one area of expertise to another and very quickly becoming a recognized expert in a new field of knowledge will be critical for success

Responsibilities:

Financial/Operational Management:

• Manage a 6-8 person team; oversee Rare campaign managers, university trainers and support staff; support the alumni network
• Full financial responsibility for creating and managing the Pride English Program departmental budget and setting fundraising targets, including restricted and unrestricted revenue sources
• Report to the VP, Pride English Program regarding fundraising, programmatic, staff and financial issues  

Relationship Management:

• Help to cultivate and manage relationships with local and regional conservation partners;  our university partners; institutions and governments in the relevant regions and the United States; and selected national and regional donors
• Identify new opportunities for partnership and funding
• Develop and solidify key strategic partnerships and alliances   
• Raise profile of Rare with media and other audiences  

Conservation Outcomes:

• Take full responsibility for program/department goals, effectiveness and conservation success
• Annually recruit and partner with 12 local conservation leaders to participate in Rare's 2-year Master's degree in conservation education. This degree is with the University of Texas in El Paso in the United States.
• Oversee the application process of potential partners utilizing a process and information technology system developed by colleagues at Rare's headquarters
• Ensure meaningful conservation objectives for each campaign and successful campaign implementation progress, on time and on budget
• The Director will fully manage and monitor at least 2 Pride campaigns at any given time
• Assist local campaign managers when developing long-term follow-up strategies and financing efforts to turn initial momentum into lasting conservation results
• Ensure programmatic alliance and impact locally
• Conduct regular site visits to maintain campaign quality

Fundraising:

• Work in conjunction with the Vice President to assist with donor relations and managing the funding pipeline within Africa, Asia, Caribbean and the Pacific; the goal is total cost recovery through a diverse funding stream
• Help to write and review proposals in an effort to secure additional funding for campaigns  
• Participate in all donor trips to the relevant regions
• Ensure all fundraising activity is well-coordinated with development staff at Rare headquarters

Qualifications:

• Masters degree; preferably with a focus in natural resources, environmental science, biology, or conservation practice
• Minimum of 10 years management experience in developing countries
• Experience within marine conservation a plus
• Proactive, consultative and results oriented with a track record of having strategically driven the organization's mission forward while simultaneously striving to improve the organization's business model. 
• Evidence of utilizing systems and tools in a high productivity environment
• Proven success managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, partnerships and contracts
• Proven success of having moved from one area of expertise to another and very quickly recognized as an expert within that new field of knowledge 
• Analytical, detail orientated and organized
• Consultative and proactive in having built partnerships and strategic alliances that resulted in a quantifiable outcome
• Demonstrated ability to raise multi-year funding from foundations, individuals and government
• Ability to work and manage staff in a multi-cultural setting
• Demonstrated interest in learning
• Excellent public speaking abilities and exceptional writing skills
• Willingness to travel internationally based on needs of the position (50%) and work extended hours outside normal 9-5 regime
• Fluent in English; French a plus

Compensation: Rare not only inspires conservation, we also inspire our employees. In addition to fully covered health insurance, a 401k savings plan and 3+ weeks of vacation/holiday leave time, Rare employees receive an annual training budget for continuous learning and growth, a bonus plan that ties to individual and organizational performance, and a flexible work environment. And to make sure no one gets cabin fever, there's an annual staff retreat that allows everyone to experience, and support, Rare's work in the field.

To Apply:  

Please email a resume and cover letter, both in Word format, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position to Deborah Chamberlin, Sr. Director of Human Resources; subject line "Director, Pride English Program."

We will greatly appreciate you mentioning how you learned of about this opportunity and indicating either your current salary or your desired salary range. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.